On the morning of October 1, 2022, Barbara Virginia Cooley began her eternal life in Heaven.

She was born in Savannah, Georgia on December 24, 1938, to Harvey and Minnie Lowery as their firstborn of five children.  She spent her formative years surrounded by a large extended family in Savannah, Georgia, and South Carolina.  In 1957, she married the love of her life, Jack Cooley and spent sixty-one wonderful years building their family together.  For Barbara, the family was everything.  She was a devoted daughter and sister, wife and mother, and loving Mema to her seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was a quiet force to all that knew her and loved her.  She enjoyed gardening, singing, camping and being surrounded by her family.

She was a faithful and devoted servant of the Lord.  She was an active member of several churches over the years as a congregant, choir member, and Sunday School teacher.  She served faithfully at the Wesleyan Church of Savannah, Southside Baptist of Savannah, and finally at Rincon First Baptist.

She is survived by daughters Janet Alexander (Robert), Pam Blake (Gordon), Kim Riedman (Paul), and Jackie Alexander (David); grandchildren Joshua Blake (Tiffany), Hollie Phillips (Ryan), Kevin Alexander, Jordan Gardner (Andrew), Zachary Blake (Courtney), Blake Alexander (Amanda) and Gabrielle Alexander, and the true joys of her life, her six great-grandchildren J.T., Abby, Jaxon, Adaline, Hudson, and Ellis.  She is also survived by one brother, Otis Lowery (Sarah) and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving husband, Jack Cooley, brother, Harvey J. Lowery, Jr., and sisters, Joan Ketron (Jerry) and Linda Parker (Ken).

A celebration of Barbara's life will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2022.  Visitation will begin at 2:00 followed by the funeral service at 3:00 in the afternoon at Strickland Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel, 2460 GA-21 S, Rincon, GA 31326.

Interment will follow in Effingham Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel. 912-754-6421